For the first time, the United Kingdom has officially condemned the recent brutal murders of two Hindu men by mobs in Bangladesh. The strong statement from Whitehall underscores growing international concern over the safety of religious minorities in the South Asian nation.
UK Government's Firm Condemnation and Response
Official sources within the UK government confirmed to media outlets that they unequivocally condemn the murders of Dipu Chandra Das and Amrit Mondal. The government extended its heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the victims. This marks a significant diplomatic step, highlighting the seriousness with which London views the incidents.
The UK administration also noted that it welcomes the 12 arrests made in connection with the killing of Dipu Chandra Das. Furthermore, they acknowledged and welcomed the public commitments made by Professor Yunus, Bangladesh's interim head of government, regarding the safety of minority communities.
Details of the Brutal Attacks
The first victim, Dipu Chandra Das, a 27-year-old garment factory worker, was subjected to an unimaginably brutal fate on December 18 in Mymensingh. He was handed over to an enraged mob over allegations of blasphemy, which were later found to be fake. The mob killed him, tied his body to a tree, and set it on fire. The extreme violence of this act, which occurred during unrest related to the death of another individual, Sharif Osman Hadi, sparked widespread protests across India.
In a separate incident just days later, on December 24 in the Rajbari district, another Hindu man, 29-year-old Amrit Mondal, was beaten to death by villagers. The Bangladeshi government has stated that Mondal was a criminal who had gone to the area to extort money.
International Pressure and Calls for Action
Sources from Westminster emphasized that the UK is firmly committed to defending freedom of religion or belief. They revealed that the importance of protecting minorities has been raised directly with Bangladeshi authorities, including during the visit of International Development Minister Baroness Jenny Chapman in November, where she met with Professor Yunus.
The UK government has also stressed the importance of ensuring the current election campaign in Bangladesh remains peaceful. They reiterated ongoing support for Bangladesh in areas of protecting civic and human rights and tackling corruption.
The issue has resonated within the British Parliament. Tom Morrison, a Liberal Democrat MP, has written to Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, arguing that Das's murder warrants urgent engagement by the UK government. Meanwhile, British MP Apsama Begum, who is of Bangladeshi origin, took to social media to demand full accountability for the killing. She stressed that religious freedom and protections for minority groups must be prioritized over mob violence.
